Lubricant handling device



N. V. SMITH LUBRICANT HANDLING DEVICE l Aug. 29, 1944.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March ll, 194].

Aug. 29, 1944.

N. V. SMITH LUBRIC'ANT HANDLING DEVICE Filed March l1, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 www Patented Aug. 29, 1944 LUBRICANT HANDLING DEVICE Y Neil V. Smith, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Smith-Johnson Corporation, Los

Angeles,

Calif., a corporation of California. Application March 11, 1941,`Serial No. 382,717

14 Claims.

grease containers.

lGrease guns or pumps handling tackyT semiiluid lubricants, and more particularly those `pumps employed to force lubricant under pressure from the original containers to the bearings or Working parts of automatic machines, are often called upon to pump mixtures of grease and air or straight air. This is particularly true when handling very heavy greases and when handling lighter greases in cold Weather, and results from the formation of air pockets in the grease vcontainer during the initial filling of the container or during the transfer of grease from one container to the other. The pumps are also obliged to handle air. and air and grease mixtures because of the development of air pockets along side of the pump column when the pump is being mounted for operation, or because of thepresence of air in a new, recently cleanedor overhauled pump. A grease gun or pump that is not `designed or adapted to pump air is made inoperative under such conditions, or must be operated for a substantial period to clear it of air before it is conditioned for use, resulting in undesirable delay. The presence of air in tacky greases or in light grease at low temperature may appreciably reduce the volume of grease discharged by the pump. Air locks sometimes develop in the pumpgin which trapped air compresses and expands with the pump strokes and greatly reduces the actual discharge of lubricant.

An important object of the present inventiton is to provide a lubricant gun or pump that is operable to pump grease, a mixture ofair and grease, or straight air from the bottom of an original grease container such as a drum, barrel or large can, and discharge it into bearings or machine parts under high pressure. A distinguishing attribute of the pump of the present invention is its ability to pump air and mixtures of air and grease and to discharge the same under high pressures Without interruption in operation or retention of air which might impair its eiiiciency or reduce its delivery rate. y g H Another object of this invention is to provide a lubricant handling apparatus of the character referred to embodying orV employingY a`fol10wer plate arrangedinthe original lubricant container to travelY from thev top of the container to substant'ially the bottom of the container toprovide for the removal or pumping of substantially .the .entire contents from .the container without the formation ofv air channels or pockets at the pump column.V Y Y Another object of this invention is to provide a lubricant pump of the character referred to having means for assuring a complete charging or lling of the high pressure cylinder on each charging stroke, particularly when handling heavy greases, o-r lighter greases in cold Weather.

Another object of'this invention is 'to provide Aa lubricant pump of the character referred to embodying a .priming pump whosepis'ton is of larger diameterthan the piston of the high pressure pump and Whose inlet ports are of Vlarge capacity and in direct communication with the luvvhereb-y the apparatus is adapted to handle very heavylubricants as Well, as lighter lubricants and alwaysV discharge at `full capacity throughout a wide range of lubricant viscosities. y

Another object of this invention is to provide a lubricant handling apparatus of the character referred to embodying ahigh pressure pump of small piston diameter and long piston stroke operating to discharge the lubricant at high pressure and a priming pump having a piston of larger diameter and equal stroke for priming the high pressure pump, the two pumps being rigidly connected for operation by a single motor.

In the pumping of lubricant it is essential to employ a discharge or high pressure pump of 4small piston diameter and long piston stroke to develop vthe required pressure and handle the necessary volume 4of lubricant on each pump stroke.' Such a pump'is diicult to ll With viscous lubricant, .consequently it has been found vnecessary heretofore to employ a booster `pump of large piston diameter and short stroke to supply a full charge to the long stroke high pressure pump when handling heavy viscous materials. Because of the difference in the strokes of the two pumps it has been necessary to provide` separate motors for operating the booster pump and the high pressure pump. The priming pump of `pump. Since the present invention requires only la'single motor for the operation of both the high pressure pump of small piston diameter and the priming pump of large piston diameter, the apparatus of the present invention is much simpler and less costly than the prior apparatuses.

Another object of this invention is to provide a lubricant pump of the character mentioned in which the high pressure discharge valve is readily accessible for cleaning. The high pressure discharge valve is, the most frequent sourcev of trouble in devicesof this nature by reason of solid matter particles becoming lodged on the valve or its seat. In prior devices where the fvalves are dicult of access, considerable delay is occasioned when the valve becomes jammed or inoperative. In the apparatus of the present invention the high pressure discharge valve may be easily and quickly removed and cleaned.

Another object of this invention is to provide a pump or apparatus of the character mentioned constructed so that there are minimum clearances in the pump structure to assure the rapid pumping of air and air and grease mixtures. The pump mechanism of the present invention is constructed to clear or discharge air at maximum speed.

Another object of this invention is to provide a lubricant 'handling apparatus of the character referred to embodying particularly effective means for automatically operating or reversing the air valve of the air motor. The automatic air valve operating means of the invention is exceptionally rugged and is provided with a simple, readily accessible adjusting means for synchronizing the valve and pump action.

A further object of this invention is to provide a lubricant pump of the character referred to in which all parts of the air motor are automatically and efliciently lubricated. Practical and highly efficient means are incorporated in the apparatus for automatically lubricating the air motor parts by a lubricant mist.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood `from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary vertical detailed sectional view of the principal parts of the lubricant pumping apparatus with the recip-rocable element of the high pressure pump at or approaching the end of its discharge stroke and with the low pressure pump plunger at or adjacent the end of its suction stroke. Fig. 2 is a transverse detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 2-2 on Fig. l. Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical detailed sectional View of the upper portion of the pump mechanism illustrating the air motor and the high pressure lubricant pump elements showing the high pressure pump cylinder at or adjacent the end of its return stroke. Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical detailedsectional view of the lower portion of the lubricant pumping mechanism showing the low pressure pump plunger at or adjacent the end of its discharge stroke, and Fig. 5 is a reduced elevation View of the apparatus.

The lubricant pumping apparatus of the present invention may be said to comprise, generally,

Va supporting structure I 6 for housing a lubricant container C'and for supporting the pump mechanism, an air motor I I mounted in the upper portion of the structure I0, valve means I2 for the motor I Il, shuttle means I3 for automatically operating the valve means I2, a low pressure positive lubricant pump I4 for receiving or pumping lubricant from the lower portion of the container C, a follower plate I I2 movable downwardly in the container C, a high pressure lubricant pump I5 above the container C, the high and low pressure pumps I4 and I5 being operated by the motor II, and means I6 for lubricating the air motor II.

The supporting structure I0 may be varied considerably without departing from the invention to suit the apparatus, for use with containers of various sizes, shapes, etc. In the case illustrated the container C is an upright, open topped can or drum of substantial capacity and the structure I 0 includes a shell I'I tting around the container C with suitable clearance. The container Cmaybe the original drum or container in which the lubricant is marketed. The container C and the shell II are supported on a suitable wheeled base I8, and releasable latches I8a secure the shell to the base. A top or cover I9 is fixed on the upper end of the shell I1 and in turn carries, what I will term, a dome 20. The dome 2U is a centrally disposed upstanding generally cylindrical part with a rounded upper end. I have shown the dome 26 secured to the cover I9 by suitable bolts 2|. A central vertical opening 22 of substantial diameter is provided in the upper wall of the dome 20.

The motor I I serves to drive or operate the low and high pressure pumps I4 and I5. The motor I I is a cylinder and piston type pneumatic power means and is supported within the 'dome 20 to be above the container C. The cylinder 23 of the motor I I Vis vertically disposed within the dome 20 and is provided with upper and lower heads 24 and 25, respectively. The upper cylinder head 24 may have an outwardly projecting flange secured to the under side of the dome top by suitable screws or bolts 26. The head 24 extends upwardly through the opening 22, having a hollow upwardly and inwardly tapered extension 21 projecting beyond the top of the dome 20. A filler 28 of wood, or the like, is provided in the extension 28 to partially occupy its interior. Screws 29 threaded in the lower portion of the extension 21 may hold the ller 28 in place. The interior of the inner wall of the ller 28 is stepped upwardly and inwardly for the purpose to be hereinafter described.

The upper and lower edge portions of the cylinder 23 are received in annular grooves 30 in the heads 24 and 25 where they are sealed with gaskets as illustrated. Studs 3| are passed upwardly through openings in the lower head 25 .and are threaded into openings in the head 24 to connect the heads and to clamp the cylinder 23 in place. With the construction just described the air motor I I is vertically disposed in the dome 2 0 and depends from the top wall of the dome.

The motor I I further includes a piston 32 operable in the cylinder 23. The body of the piston 32 is a stepped or graduated tubular member having a large elongate socket 33 entering its lower end, a smaller socket 34 continuing upwardly from the socket 33 and a reduced opening 35 extending through its upper end wall. The exterior of the piston 32 may be correspondingly stepped and is receivable `in Athe stepped interior of the ller 28 when at the upper end of its movement. An external annular flange 36 is provided adjacent the lower end of the piston 32 and a nut '31 is threaded on the piston to oppose the iiange 36. I

The sealing element of the piston 32 includes an annular bead 38 received between the .flange 36 and the'nut 31 and upwardly and downwardly projecting annular wings or lips 39 on the bead for slidably sealing with the interior of the cylinder 23. A metal clip or carrier 40 grips the bead 38 and is held or clamped between the flange 36 and the nut 31 to secure the sealing element to the piston 32. The sealing lips 39 are outwardly to leave a confined space between their active cylinder engaging surfaces and the outer ends or edges of the lips are preferably tapered. The

' sealing element is constructed of synthetic rub-- ber, or other flexible resilient material, and the sealing lips 39 are actuated or expanded by pressures within the cylinder 23 to effectively seal with the cylinder walls. It will beA observed that the cylinder and piston 23 and 32 of the motor II may be of substantial diameter.

The valve means I 2 for the motor I I 'is adapted for automatic or mechanical operation by the shuttle means I3. The valve means I2 is preferably arranged on the motor I I within the head or dome 28. In the construction illustrated, the,

lower cylinder head 25 has a flat faced vertically disposed flange 4I and a valve chest 42 is` arranged to oppose the face of the flange 4I. A hard wear-resisting plate 43 is clamped between the opposing surfaces of the ange 4I and the chest 42. The chest 42 is hollow or chambered and has an inlet opening 44 equipped with a itting 45 for an air supply hose 46.y The fitting I4 may have an automatic coupler. valve and the hose 46 may be supplied with air under suitable pressure from any convenient source. A port 48 extends outwardly through the lower head 25, flange 4I and plate 43 to connect the lower end of the motor cylinder with the interior of the valve chest 42. A similar port 49 is provided in the' flange 4I and the plate 43 and a conduit 58 extends from the port 49 to a port 5I in the upper cylinder head 24 to put the valve chest 42 in communication with the upper end of the cylinder 23. The ports 48 and 49 are spaced apart vertically at the faces of the plate 43. An exhaust port 52 is provided in the ilange 4I and the plate 43 and is spaced between the ports 48 and 49.

A slide valve 53 of the D-type operates on the face of the plate 43 to control the ports. The valve 53 has a stem 54 slidably received in a transverse opening 55 in a reciprocal rod 56. A spring 'I is arranged under compression between the Valve 53 and the rod 56 to hold the valve in sliding engagement with the plate 43. The upperA portion of the rod 56 is tubular and is slidably guided in a socket 58 in the upper wall of the valve chest 42. A spring 59 is arranged under compression in the socket 58 and the tubular portion of the rod 56 to urge the rod and the valve 53 downwardly. A tubular guide bushing 68 is threaded through an opening in the lower wall of the chest 42 and the rod 56 slidably enters the upper end of the bushing. A rod 56=34 enters the lower end of the bushing and a set of plug gaskets 6I is engaged between the opposing ends of the rods 56 and 56a to slidably seal with the bushing 69. The rod 56 projects beyond the bushing 60 for engagement by the shuttle means I3.

The shuttle means I3 is operated by the piston 32 to actuate or reverse the valve 53. The means I3 is a loaded spring snap action mechanism operable to cause sudden reversal of the valve 53 at the ends of the piston strokes. In the preferred arrangement the means I3 is arranged below the motor II to. be operated by'a part or assembly extending downwardly from the air motor piston 32. In accordance with the invention this part or assembly includes a reciprocating element 62 associated with the high pressure lubricant pump I5 and the low pressure transfer tube 63 which extends from the element 62 to the low pressure pump I4. The element 62 is xed or threaded in a tubular nut 64, which in turn is threaded in the socket 34 of the piston 32. The element 62 extends downwardly to pass through a gland or packing means on the cylinder head 25. A socketed or tubular upstanding boss 65 is provided in the head 25 to carry the packing means. The gland or packing means comprises chevron packing 66 seated in the boss 65 and actuated or compressed by a spring 6T held under compression between the packing and a tubular guide plug 68 threaded inthe upper end of the boss. The plug 68 may assist in guiding the element 62. The socket 66 of the piston 32 receives the boss 65 and the plug 68 with ample clearance when the piston 32 moves downwardly inthe cylinder 23. The high pressure pump element 62 passes downwardly, with suitable clearance, through a tubular nut 69 threaded in the head 25. The nut 69 is shouldered or ilanged at its lower end to support or mount a tubular bracket or carrier 10. The low pressure transfer tube 63 is threaded on a reduced lower part of the high pressure pump element 62 and the tube and element pass through or are received in the carrier 'I0 with substantial clearance.

The means I3 includes a tubular shuttle 'II slidably guided in the carrier 'I0 and surrounding the high pressure pump element and transfer tube assembly 62-63 with clearance. The lower end of the nut 69 may limit the upward travel of the shuttle 1I and an inwardly projecting stop l2 in the carrier 'I0 may limit the downward travel of the shuttle. The travel of the shuttle II is materially shorter than the stroke of the air motor piston 32. An external annular groove 'I3 is provided in the upper portion of the shuttle 'II. A longitudinal slot 'I4 is formed in the wall of the carrier 10 and a bracket 'I5'is mounted on the carrier at the slot. A horizontal shaft or pin I6 on the bracket I5 supports a double armed lever TI. The lever serves to transmit movement between the shuttle 'II and the valve rod 56a. The inner end of the lever 'I'I is yoked or provided with a roller 'I8 which engages in the groove 13 of the shuttle 1I. The outer arm of the lever 'I'I is shorter than the inner lever arm and carries an adjustable screw I9 equipped with a lock nut 80. The screw I9 is engageable with the outer endof the valve rod 56 for the-transmission of movement between the shuttle lever I'I and the rod 56.

The shuttle means I3 further includes yielding means for transmitting movement from the cylinder and tube assembly 62-63 to the shuttle 'II when the air motor piston 32 approaches the ends of its strokes. The shuttle 'II is provided at its lower end with an internal annular flange 8| and the lower portion of the lelement 62 has a downwardly facing external annular shoulder 82. A spring 83 surrounds the element 62 between the shoulder 82 and the flange 8l and is initially under compression. When the air motor piston 32 approaches the lower end of its downward movement the compression on the spring 83 increases substantially and tends to move the shuttle II downwardly. The means for transmitting upward movement from the assembly 6263 to the shuttle II comprises a collar v84 fixed on the transfer tube 63 and a spring 85 surrounding the tube and arranged under compression between the flange 8| and the collar. This structure is illustrated in Fig. 1.

The shuttle means 3 further includes a releasable holding mechanism for resisting movement of the shuttle 1| until a given amount of energy has been stored in the springs 83 and 85 or until the springs are fully compressed, whereupon it releases to allow the shuttle to suddenly move either upward or downward, as the case may be, to cause a substantially instantaneous reversal of the air controlling valve 53. rIhis holding means includes an annular ridge 86 on the exterior of the shuttle 1| and plain or cylindrical lands 81 and 88 formed on the shuttle above and below the ridge 86. Diametrically opposite radial openings 89 are provided in the walls of the carrier 10 and are lined with tubular bushings 90, as illustrated in Fig. 2. Detent balls 9| are shiftably arranged in the inner portions of the bushings 90 and are adapted to cooperate with the lands 81 and 88 and the ridge 86. Plungers 92 extend into the bushings 99 and their inner ends bear on the detent balls 9|. Horizontal cross heads 93 are fixed to the plungers 92 and are provided at their outer ends with inwardly projecting screws or pins 94. Helical springs 95 are arranged under tension between the outer portions of the spaced opposing cross heads 93. The end parts of the springs 95 engage over the pins 94. The pins 94 are left hand threaded and are screwed in the springs 95 which have a right hand convolution. The springs 95 serve to urge the balls 9| inwardly with substantial force.

When the piston 32 of the air motor approaches one end of its stroke, say the end of its downward movement, the shoulder 82 comes into compressing engagement with the spring 83. As the piston 32 moves downwardly the spring 83 is compressed. At this time the detent balls 9| are engaged on the land 88 and their cooperation with the ridge 86 holds the shuttle 1| against downward movement. When the spring has been fully compressed the cooperation of the ridge B6 with the balls 9| overcomes the springs 95 and results in outward retraction of the balls 9|. When the balls 9| retract the shuttle 1| is suddenly moved downward by the spring 83. The accompanying pivotal movement of the lever 11 causes upward movement of the valve rod 56-56a to reverse the valve 53. A similar action takes place when the air motor piston 32 approaches the end of-its upward stroke. In this case, the balls 9| suddenly snap over the ridge 86 from the land 81 to the land 88 when the spring 85 has been fully compressed. The shuttle means |3 just described provides for the mechanical or automatic instantaneous reversal of the air motor valve 53 at the completion of the piston strokes to produce continued operation or' the air motor.

The low pressure lubricant pump |4 is operable to positively force or pump the lubricant and any air there may be present, from the container C to the high pressure pump |5. In aocordance with the invention the low pressure pump I4 is located in the lower portion of the container C to receive lubricant from adjacent the bottom of the container so that substantially the entire contents of the container C may be cleared or pumped out by the apparatus. This places the low pressure pump v|4 at a point removed from the air motor and the high pressure lubricant pump I5. The low pressure pump I4 includes a cylinder 96 and a piston or plunger operable in the cylinder. The means for suspending or supporting the low pressure lubricant pump cylinder 96 adjacent the lower end of the container C includes the carrier 10 described above and a supporting tube or suspension tube 91 extending downwardly from the carrier. The tube 91 is threaded in the lower end of the carrier 10 and extends vertically downward through the container C to a point a short distance above the bottom wall of -the container. The low pressure lubricant cylinder 96 is a tubular or socketed member attached to the lower end of the suspension tube 96 as by threading to extend downwardly therefrom to immediately adjacent the bottom of the container. The lower end of the cylinder 96 is closed and two or more spaced lateral openings or ports 98 are provided in the Wall of the cylinder in a plane above its closed lower end. The ports 98 form the low pressure lubricant inlet ports of the pump mechanism. The portion 96 of the cylinder 96, which is below the ports 98, is reduced in internal diameter and forms the pressure developing portion of the low pressure cylinder while the portion 96b above the ports forms the suction developing part of the cylinder.

The low pressure lubricant pump piston or plunger is secured to the lower end of the low pressure transfer tube 63, referred to above. The transfer tube 63 is secured to the lower end of the high pressure lubricant cylinder 62, as above described, and extends downwardly through the suspension tube 91 with considerable clearance to the low pressure lubricant plunger. The low pressure lubricant plunger is a sectional structure comprising a tubular upper section 99 and a tubular lower section |00. The upper plunger section 99 is threaded or otherwise Xed on the lower end of the low pressure transfer tube 63 and is proportioned to be received in the suspension tube 91 and the cylinder 99 with considerable clearance. A collar |0| is clamped between the section 99 and the lower end of the low pressure transfer tube 63. Packing |02, such as chevron packing1 is engaged against the upper end of the lower plunger section |00 and a spring |03 is arranged under compression between the collar |0| and the packing |02 to maintain the packing under compression so that it seals with the wall of the cylinder 96. The spring actuated packing |02 serves to prevent air leakage around or past the low pressure plunger.

The lower plunger section |00 forms the body or main element of the low pressure lubricant plunger and is of special formation to cooperate with the reduced lower portion 96a of the cylinder 96 for the purpose of forcingthe lubricant upwardly through the plunger 96 and transfer tube 63 and to permit the main body of the lubricant charge, which is usually in eX- cess of that required to charge the high pressure pump, to escape from the lower portion of the cylinder 96 when the plunger moves downwardly. The lower plunger section |00 presents an upper active peripheral guide surface |04, which closely slidably i'lts the suction portion`96b of the cylin der 96 and a lower surface |05 which ts the pressure developing portion 96a with controlled or limited clearance. The plunger section |00 is reduced in external diameter immediatelyabove the lower surface |05 to have a clearance groove |06. As the low pressure plungerrmoves downwardly through the cylinder 96 the excess lubricant is forced out through the ports 98 and when the reduced or lower plunger surface |05 enters the pressure developing cylinder portion 96a it cuts off or traps a given charge of lubricant fully sufcient to charge the high pressure pump. Thus, the ported portion of the cylinderl 96 and the surface |05 serve as an inlet valve vmeans for the low pressure lubricant pump I4. During the action just described, the groove |06 thereabove allows any excess lubricant in therpressure developing cylinder portion 96a to pass back through the ports 98 to the main supply of lubricant in the container. The control of clearances between the cylinder portion 96a and the low pressure plunger surface |05 provides for the return to the container C of lubricant trapped in the portion 98a in excess of that required to charge the'high pressure cylinder 62 of the high pressure pump I5. Upward movement of the low pressure plunger in the suction cylinder portion 9|;b causes a large volume of lubricant, or lubricant and air mixture, to be drawn into the low pressure cylinder for the next discharge stroke. The ports 98 are large and in direct communication with the container C, and the capacity of suction cylinderb is greater than the capacity of the pressure developing portion 96a. This proportioning of the suction `and pressure developing sections of cylinder 96 serves to develop a high suction effect on the ymain body of grease adjacent the inlet ports 98 whereby a full charging of cylinder 96a with lubricant is assured even when handling heavy greases, or lighter lubricants at low temperatures, in the presence of a considerable volume of occluded air.

The low pressure pump |4 further includes a f The lower section ofV discharge valve |01. the low pressure plunger is tubular and is provided at its lower end with a reduced discharge openingr |08 which leaves or provides an annular upwardly facing internal seat |09 in the plunger section. The valve |01 is shiftable vertically in the section |09 and is adapted to engage downwardly against the seat |09 to close the port |08. The valve |01 is socketed from its upper end and its side walls are provided with slots IIO which extend upwardly from adjacent its' lower corner. The lower outer corner or edge of the valve |01 is preferably bevelled off to permit the rapid free flow of lubricant through the valve when the valve is open. A spring III is arranged under compression between the lower end of the section 99 and an internal shoulder of the va-lve |01 to urge the valve to its closed position; The discharge valve |01 of the low pressure lubricant pump I4 is closed during the up strokes of the plunger andY during the initial portions of the down strokes and serves to prevent the downward return of the lubricant or air.

The follower plate |I2 is provided to assure the full delivery or clearance of lubricant from the container C .to the low pressure lubricant pump I4, and to prevent the channeling of air from the upper surface of the lubricantto the inlet ports 98. The follower plate ||2 operates in the container C and travels down the suspension tube 91 as the lubricant is withdrawn or pumped down from the container, see Fig. 1. The follower plate 2 is shaped to conform generally to the container C and, in most instances, .1s aV discflike member presenting a flat horizontal face for evenly bearing against the top surface of the body of grease or lubricant. It is preferred to make the follower plate |I2 relatively heavy, to maintain a flat horizontal upper surface on the lubricant. The follower plate |I2 has means for slidably sealing with the suspension tube 91 so that air cannot leak past the follower plate to flow down around the tube 91 to the inlet ports 98 of the low pressure pump I4. The sealing means may be in the nature of chevron packing I I3 seated in a central boss |I4 of the plate |I2 and actuated or compressed by a follower II5 threaded into the boss. The periphery of the follower plate 2 has clearance with or is spaced from the wall of the container C.

The high pressure lubricant pump I5 receives the lubricant, or mixture of air and lubricant, under pressure from the vtransfer tube 63 and discharges it under a greatly increased pressure to the bearings or machine parts being lubricated. The pump means 5 is located above the container C and is within or extends through the air motor II. Accordingly, the high pressure pump I5 is a substantial distance from the low pressure pump I4 and is connected with the low pressure pump` through the medium of the elongate low 'pressuretransfer tubeV 63. The pump I5 includes the upper portion of the element 62 referred to above-and a'stationary piston II1. The upper portion 62a of the. element 62 forms the high pressure cylinder while the lower portion of the element is in eiect an extension or continuation of the low pressure transfer tube 63. The high pressure cylinder 62ab is an elongate hollow or tubular part which reciprocates relative to the stationary piston I I1, and is xed to the nut 64 of the air motor piston 32. The cylinder 62a is enlarged in internal diameter to have a cylinder chamber ||8 and to provide an upwardly facing internal annular shoulder or seat I I9. The seat I9 is at the lower end of the chamber ||8 and the opening of the lower portion of theV element 62 extends downwardly from the seat I I9 to communicate with the upper end of the transfer tube I63. The upperend of the cylinder chamber ||8 communicates with the tubular nut 64 and the interiorV of the socket 34, the nut 64 and the socketl 63 in effect constituting continuations `of the cylinder chamber.

The high pressure piston ||1 is an elongate tubular member cast or otherwise fixed in the central vertical opening |20 0f the head 21. The piston II1 extends downwardly from the opening |20 and passes through the opening 35 in the air motor piston 32 to project into the socket 34 and cylinder chamber IIS. Packing means is rprovidedin the socket 34 to slidably seal about the piston ||1. In the construction illustrated, chevron type packing I2I seats upwardly against the upper wall of the socket 34 and is actuated or held `active by a spring |22 engaged against an upwardly facing shoulder |23 in the nut 64.

v The piston I I1 is a displacement ram or piston munication between the` cylinder chamber H8 andthe low pressure transfer tube 63 and a high pressure discharge valve |26 governing the discharge of the lubricant from the pump means. The high pjressure inlet valve |25 forms the foot valve of the high pressure pump I5 and, in the preferred construction, is located at the lower end of the cylinder chamber II8. This places the .valve |25 a considerable distance above the discharge valve |01 of the low pressure pump I4 and the valve |25 servesto separate the high pressure cylinder chamber I|8 from the lubricant inthe tube 83 during the discharge stroke of thehigh pressure cylinder 62. The valve |25 engages downwardly against the seat I I9 and has a stem |21 extending downwardly through the lower portion of the element 62 with considerable clearance.` A ported web or spider |28 is xed onthe lower end of the element 62 and guides the lowerpor-tion of the valve stern |21. Nuts |29 are provided on the lower portion of the stem |21 below the spider |28 and a spring |30 is arranged under compression between the spider |28 and the nuts |29. The spring |30 normally urges the -Valve |25.downwardly to its closed position against the seatY II.9.

YThe valve |25` is normally closed and is open only during the last phase of the downward stroke of theA cylinder 62` when a charge of lubricantor air-is displaced upwardly from the tube 63 bythe action of the low pressure plunger operating in` the low pressure cylinder section 96a. It is to be observed that the closed valve |25 forms. apositive closure for the lower end ofthe relatively short cylinder chamber I I8 and definitely separates the lubricant in the cylinder chamber from the lubricant in the low pressure transfer tube 63. This assures the displacement of a full charge of lubricant and the clearanceA of any airthere may be present in the chamber IIBduring each upward stroke of the high :pressure cylinder 62 and the high pressure inlet valve 25iconditions or adapts the pump for the positive pumping of air and air mixedV with the lubricant. .Y

. The discharge valve.|26 of the high pressure pump is characterized `by its ready accessibility. The valve 26 is shiftablyv held in the central vertical opening |20. of the head extension 21 and has a pointed lower end for sealing inwardly or downwardly against. a limited bevelled seat I3I formed on the upper endl of the stationary piston II1. A longitudinal opening |32 extends downwardly Yin theV valve |26 from its upper end and joins spaced radial slots |33 adjacent the lower end of the valve. The bevelled or pointed lower lportion of the valve I 26 provides'for the free rapid up flow of the lubricant when the valve is in its open position. An elongate fitting |34 is threaded inthe upper portion of the opening and a spring |35V is arranged under compressionbetween the lower end of the fitting |34 and the upper end of the valve` |26V to urgethe valve to its closed position. A longitudinal port |36 extends outwardly in the fitting |34 and has lateral branches ,|31 at its outer end joining an annular external groove |38 in the fitting. A collar or tube |39 turnably engages around the tting |34 andis clamped between the upper endI of the head 21 and a downwardly facing shoulder |40 on the fittingA |34. Sealing gaskets I 4I serve to prevent the leakage of lubricant under pressure at the ends of the tube |39. A conduit or pipe |42 has an end threaded in an opening |43 in the tube |39 to communicate with the ller.

the groove |38. The pipe |42 extendsv outwardly and then downwardly to a supporting bracket |44 on the dome 20. A swivel Coupling |45 on the lower end of the pipe |42 serves to connect a flexible discharge hose I 46 with the pipe.

A discharge fitting or nozzle |41 equipped with the customary manually controllable discharge Valve is provided on the outer end of the hose |46. When the valve of the nozzle |41 is closed the lubricant pump is stalled but when the valve of the nozzle |41 is opened the pump automatically goes into operation to discharge the lubricant under high pressure. The fitting |34 has a polygonal part |48 above the tube I 39 readily engageable by a wrench, or the like, to facilitate the assembly and detachment of the tting. Upon unthreading and removal of the fitting |34 the high pressure discharge valve |26 and its seat |3I are readily accessible for cleaning, repair, etc. The fitting |34 may be easily and quickly removed and reinstalled without disturbing any other parts of the apparatus. l

The means |6 for lubricating the air motor |I operates to automatically create or generate a lubricant mist in the cylinder 23 to lubricate all of the various parts ofthe motor I| and its valve I2. The means I6 includes an outwardly or radially facing depression or pocket |49 in the stationary high pressure piston I |1. The pocket I 49 is locatedY to be above the upper end of the cylinder and is, therefore, within the hollow or socketed filler 28. The pocket |49 is located to be received in or to communicate with the socket .34er the cylinder chamber |I8 when the piston 32 is travelling through the upper portions of its strokes. The pocket |49 thus receives and traps a measured limited quantity of lubricant each time the cylinder 32 moves up and down on the fixed piston II1. The air port 5I, for supplying air under pressure to the upper end of the cylinder 23, terminates in an inwardly directed or radial arm. The filler 28 has a radial port |50 communicating with this radial arm of the port 5| and discharging inwardly at the interior of The discharge end of the port |50 is radially aligned with the pocket |49, that is, it directly faces the pocket. When the air motor valve 53.moves to the position where it admits air under pressure to the port 49 a blast of air under pressure is discharged from the port |50 'to impinge against the piston I I1. This air blast is directed toward the pocket |49 and blows the limited charge of lubricant from the pocket |49 and breaks the lubricant up to create a mist within the cylinder 23'. Thus, during each complete operation or stroke cycle of the air motor I| a limitedV given quantity of lubricant is supplied to the cylinder 32 and is broken up into mist form.

The automatic lubricating means I6 may further include a pocket I5I in the wall of the cylin'der 23. The pocket I5I is located at the same vertical plane as the inner end of the port 48 ory immediately adjacent that plane, and is spaced above the cylinder head 25 a distance somewhat greater than the width of the pair of sealing lips 39 of the piston 32. During each complete stroke cycle of the piston 32 the pocket I5! receives a limitedv quantity of lubricant from the lubricated upper portion of the cylinder and when the piston 32 moves upwardly under the action of the air being discharged under pressure from the port 48. this lubricant is blown from the pocket and broken `up into a mist by the blast of air issuing from the port 48. The pocket |5I is not always essential as it has been found that the lubricant supplied to the upper portion of the cylinder by the pocket |49 and broken into mist form, as described above, finds its way to the lower portion of the cylinder under the piston 32. The lubricant mist generated in the cylinder 23 not only lubricates the cylinder and piston mechanism of the motor II but finds its way through the port 48 into the valve chest 42 where it also lubricates the valve 53 and the parts asso` elated therewith.

In using the apparatus the parts are arranged and assembled as illustrated with the shell I1 latched to the base I8 by the latches I8a and with the follower plate I I2 engaged against the upper surface of the body of lubricant in the container C. In this connection it is to be understood that the container C may be the original barrel or drum in which the lubricant is marketed. The pump mechanism is arranged so that the low pressure lubricant cylinder 96 has its end immediately adjacent the bottom wall of the container C to provide for the removal by pumping of substantially the entire contents of the container C. In inserting the pumping apparatus in the container C there may be voids or air pockets left around the supporting tube H91 and the low pressure cylinder 96, but this air is quickly cleared or pumped away when thepump is put binto operation. The air hose 46 is coupled with the valve means I2 by the valved coupler 45 so that air under pressure is delivered to the valve chest 42 and the hose |46 carrying the discharge nozzle |41 is attached to vthe swivel coupling |45.

With the parts assembled, as just describedT the apparatus is in condition for operation. Prior to the actual operation of the pump for the delivery of lubricant to machine bearings and parts it may be necessary to prime the apparatus and to clear it of air. This is done by merely opening the valve at the nozzle |41. With the nozzle |41 open the air motor I I operates the low and high pressure lubricant pumps I4 and I5 to pump out the air in the apparatus and to clear or evacuate any air pockets there may be around the cylinder 96. This priming and air clearing puts the equipment in condition for use. Y

Assuming that the valve of the discharge nozzle |41 is open the shuttle means I3 produces .automatic operation or reversal of the valve 53 so that the air motor I is operated. The shuttle means I3 operates to automatically suddenly reverse the valve 53 yat or adjacent the end of each stroke of the air motor piston 32, this action havingr been described above. During each down stroke of the piston 32 the low pressure plunger moves downwardly through the cylinder 96 to displace or pump a charge of lubricant upwardly into or through the low pressure transfer tube 63. The section or surface |65 of the low pressure plunger moves down through the cylinder 96 to cut off the'ports 98 and to positively displace the lubricant from the cylinder portion 96a. In this connection it is to be observed that the surface |05 has limited clearance with the wall of the cylinder portion 96*1L to allow the escape of eX- cess lubricant through the groove |06 and ports 98 back into the container. The clearance is controlled or very limited, and the plunger IB!! moving downwardly in the cylinder portion 96a at a high speed positively displaces a full vcharge of lubricant, and any entrapped air, upwardly past the valve |01. During the pumping action at the low pressure pump I4 the high pressure cylinder -IS2a is moved downwardly on the stationary high pressure piston |I1 and the inlet valve |25 of the high pressure pump opens to admit a charge of the lubricant to the cylinder chamber II8. Thus, the high pressure cylinder chamber II8 is positively charged simultaneously with and by reason of the positive displacement of llubricant under pressure from the cylinder 96a into the transfer tube 63. The low pressure pump `I4 positively pumps a charge of lubricant into the transfer tube 63 and an equivalent charge is displaced into the cylinder chamber II8 past the open valve I 25. The transfer tube 63 contains a column of lubricant and possibly some air under pressure at all times by reason of the positive pumping action of the pump I4 so that the charge of lubricant is positively pumped into the cylinder chamber II8 during the suction strokes of the hi-gh pressure cylinder 62. This positive displacement or pumping action assures the clearance or delivery of air from the transfer tube 63 to the limited capacity high pressure cylinder chamber I I8.

During the upward stroke of the air motor piston 32 the plunger of the low pressure pump moves upwardly through the cylinder 96 so that a charge of lubricant is drawn into the suction portion 96b of the low pressure cylinder. During this laction the valve |01 remains closed preserving the pressure Within the transfer tube 63 and preventing the return of the pumped lubricant and/or air to the cylinder 96. As the air motor piston 32 and the high pressure cylinder 62ab move upwardly the charge of lubricant in the chamber II8 is displaced outwardly through the piston I I1. The valve I 25 is closed during the high pressure pumping stroke and the stationary piston I1 operating or received in the chamber II8 of the upwardly moving cylinder 62 positively displaces a given charge of lubricant with its accompanying air, if any. In practice, the lubricant or air is displaced from the chamber I IB at a pressure many times greater than the pressure existing in the transfer tube 63. The discharge valve |26 opens to permit the discharge of the lubricant from the chamber II 8 when a given pressure builds up and the lubricant under high pressure flows out through the pipe |42 and hose |46' to the nozzle |41 and the machine parts.

The apparatus of the invention embodies `two complete pumps, namely, the pump |4 and the pump I5, each equipped with an inlet valve means and a discharge valve means, and each constructed for the positive handling of air as well as lubricant. The transfer tube 63 operatively associates the two widely separated pumps and serves to conduct the lubricant under pressure from the pump I4to the pump I5 during the charging stroke of the 'high pressure pump I5, and serves to retain a continuous column of lubricant or air under pressure during the discharge strokes of the high pressure pump. This combination of pumps I4 and I5 and connecting transfer tube 63 provides for the clear-ance or removal of any air there may be present in the mechanism and any air pockets that may be encountered in the container C. Air that reaches the ports '98 is quickly cleared or discharged from the -apparatus and cannot render the apparatus inoperative and does not necessitate any delay in the pumping of the lubricant.

As the lubricant is evacuated from the container C lthe follower plate ||2 moves downwardly on the top surface of the lubricant body. The plate, with its packing l I3, prevents the atmospheric air from channeling down through the lubricant to the ports 98 and reduces to a minimum the amount of air that reaches the pumping equipment. The follower plate II2 is adapted to move down to Iadjacent the bottom of the container C to provide for substantially complete evacuation of lubricant from the container C. The suspension tube 91 and the cylinder 96 form a continuous column of uniform external diameter which may be readily pulled upwardly through the follower plate H2 despite the vacuum which resists raising of the follower plate proper. With the pumping unit removed, the follower plate II2 may then be separately freed and readily removed. The apparatus may be successively employed on new or replacement containers C, or for the pumping of lubricant that has been transferred from other containers to the container C.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specic details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any Variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. Lubricant handling apparatus for pumping lubricant from a supply body of lubricant comprising low pressure pump means adapted to be within said supply body of lubricant, highpressure pump means adapted to be at the exterior of said supply body, a reciprocable transfer tube for conducting lubricant under pressure from the low pressure pump means to the high pressure pump means and mechanically connecting the pump means for simultaneous operation, a motor for operating the pump means through the transfer tube, a valve operable to control the motor so that the motor will operate the pump means, and means operatively connected with said tube between the pump means for oper-ating the valve. Y

2. In apparatus for pumping lubricant from a lubricant supply, a low pressure pump adapted to be positioned in said lubricant supply comprising cylinder and piston elements tted with limited clearance, one of which is reciprocable, lubricant inlet means for said cylinder element in communication with said supply, and a lubricant discharge valve for said cylinder element, a reciprocable transfer tube receiving the lubricant under pressure from the discharge valve and connected with the reciprocable element to reciprocate the same, a high pressure pump remote from the low pressure pump comprising cylinder and piston elements one of which is reciprocable and connected with the transfer tube to move therewith, the piston element of the high pressure pump being of less diameter than the piston element of the low pressure pump, an inlet valve for the cylinder of the high pressure pump for admitting lubricant under pressure from the transfer tube, and a discharge Valve for the cylinder of the high pressure pump for discharging the lubricant under high pressure, and operating means operatively connected with the assembly of the transfer tube and the reciprocating elements of the pumps to reciprocate the same.

3. Lubricant pumping apparatus for pumping lubricant from a lubricant supply comprising a high pressure pump including cylinder and piston elements, one of which is reciprocable, an

Cil

inlet valve for the cylinder element, and a discharge valve for the cylinder element, a reciprocable low pressure transfer tube connected with said reciprocable element to reciprocate therewith and adapted to conduct lubricant under pressure to the inlet valve of the high pressure pump, and a low pressure pump in the lubricant supply including relatively reciprocable cylinder and piston elements, one of which is connected with the tube to be-'reciprocated thereby, inlet means for the cylinder element of the low pressure pump in direct communication with the lubricant supply, the inlet valve and the cylinder and piston elements of the low pressure pump being related so that excess lubricant escapes into the lubricant supply, and a discharge valve for the cylinder of the low pressure pump discharging the pumped lubricant into the transfer tube, the piston element of the low pressure pump being larger in diameter than the piston element of the high pressure pump.

4. Lubricant pumping apparatus for pumping lubricant from a lubricant supply including a ported cylinder arranged in receiving relation to the supply to receive lubricant therefrom, la plunger operable in the cylinder with limited clearance, a discharge valve in the plunger, a transfer tube connected with the plunger to receive the pumped lubricant therefrom, and a high pressure pump at the exterior of the supply comprising a stationary piston of smaller diameter than the plunger, a reciprocable cylinder connected with the transfer tube receiving said piston and adapted to receive said pumped lubricant from the transfer tube, an inlet valve in the reciprocable cylinder governing the admission of lubricant to the reciprocable cylinder, and a discharge valve in the piston for discharging lubricant from the reciprocable cylinder.

5. In a lubricant pumping apparatus, a pump for handling the lubricant, comprising cylinder and piston elements, an inlet v-alve controlling delivery of lubricant to the pump, and an outlet valve, an air motor for operating the pump comprising a cylinder and a piston on the cylinder attached to the reciprocating element of the pump, means for discharging air under pressure into the end portions of the cylinder, and means for lubricating the motor comprising means for carrying lubricant from the cylinder of the pump into the air pressure cylinder of the motor.

6. In a lubricant pumping apparatus, a pump for pumping the lubricant, comprising cylinder and piston elements, an inlet valve controlling delivery of lubricant to the pump, and an outlet valve, an air motor for reciprocating one of said elements to operate the pump comprising a cylinder and a piston in the cylinder attached to said assembly, and means for discharging air under pressure into the end portions of the motor cylinder, and means for lubricating the motor comprising a pocket in said assembly for carrying lubricant from the cylinder of the high pressure pump into the cylinder of the motor and vlocated to be in the blast of air under pressure entering one end of the cylinder so that the lubricant in the pocket is broken up into a mist.

'7. In a lubricant pumping apparatus, a high pressure pump, a low pressure pump, a reciprocal transfer tube connecting the pumps, the low pressure pump including a cylinder having a closed end and one or more inlet ports spaced from the closed end, means for reciprocating the transfer tube to operate the pumps. and a plunger operable in the cylinder with limited clearance to displace lubricant therefrom to the transfer tube for passage to the high pressureV pump when moving toward said end, the capacity of that portion of the cylinder between the ports and said end being at least as large as the lubricant discharge capacity of the high pressure pump, the plunger being adapted to move away from said end beyond 'said ports a distance sucient to draw a large volume of lubricant into the cylinder.

8. In a lubricant pumping apparatus, a high pressure pump, a low pressure pump, a reciprocal transfer tube connecting the pumps, the low pressure pump including a cylinder having a closed end and one or more inlet ports spaced from the closed end, means for reciprocating the transfer tube to operate the pumps, and a plunger operable in the cylinder with limited clearance to displace lubricant therefrom to the transfer tube for passage to the high pressure pump when moving toward said end, the capacity of that portion of the cylinder between the ports and said end being at least as large as the lubricant discharge capacity of the high pressure pump, the plunger being adapted to `move away from said end beyond said ports a distance sufficient to draw a volume of lubricant into the cylinder several times greater than the capacity of the high pressure cylinder, that portion of the plunger which enters said portion of the cylinder having controlled clearance with the cylinder to allow the escape of excess lubricant out through said ports.

9. In a lubricant pumping apparatus, a lubricant pump including cylinder and piston elements, one of which is reciprocable relative to the other, a motor for operating the pump, and means for transferring limited quantities of 1ubrcant from the pump to the motor comprising a pocket alternately in receiving relation to the pump and in discharging relation to the motor during reciprocation of the reciprocable element of the pump.

10. In ya lubricant pumping apparatus, a lubricant pump including cylinder and piston elements, one of which is reciprocable relative to the other, amotor for operating the pump, and means for transferring limited quantities of 'lubricant from the pump to the motor comprism,r a pocket alternately in receiving relation to the pump and in discharging relation to the motor during reciprocation of the reciprocable element of the pump, and means for directing a stream of air to impinge against the lubricant in the pocket to atomize the lubricant therein when the pocket is in said discharging relation to the motor.

11. In lubricant pumping apparatus, a pump for the lubricant comprising two relatively reciprocable elements, one a cylinder, the other a piston reciprocable in the cylinder, a motor for operating the pump including an air pressure cylinder and a piston operable in the cylinder and connected to the reciprocable element of the pump to operate the same, and means for lubricating the motor comprising a surface on the pump piston alternately exposed to the interiors of the two cylinders during each reciprocation of the motor piston and adapted to carry lubricant from the pump cylinder to the motor cylinder, and means for introducing air under pressure into the motorrcylinder to impinge against said surface.

12. Lubricant pumping apparatus for use with a lubricant supply comprising a high pressure pump including a reciprocable element, a reciprocable operating and transfer tube connected with said element to operate the same and serving to supply lubricant to the high pressure pump, and a priming pump for feeding lubricant to the transfer tube comprising a cylinder having two portions separated by at least one port of large capacity in lubricant-receiving relation to said supply, and a piston operated by said tube and operable in both portions of the cylinder during one stroke of the tube to draw lubricant into the cylinder, and operable in one portion of the cylinder during the other stroke of the tube to force lubricant out through the tube under pressure.

13. Lubricant pumping apparatus for use with a lubricant supply comprising a high pressure pump including'a cylinder and piston related for relative reciprocation, a reciprocable operating and transfer tube for operating the high pressure pump and for conducting lubricant thereto, and a priming pump to deliver lubricant to the tube to be conducted thereby to the high pressure pump comprising a piston on the tube of larger diameter than the first named piston, and a cylinder receiving the second named piston having port means for admitting lubricant from the supply to the priming pump cylinder during one stroke of said second named piston and operable to discharge excess lubricant back into the supply during the other stroke of said second named piston.

14. Lubricant pumping apparatus for use with a lubricant supply comprising a. high pressure pump including a cylinder and piston related for relative reciproeation, a reciprocable operating and transfer tube for operating the high pressure pump and for conducting lubricant thereto, and a priming pump to deliver lubricant to the tube to be conducted thereby to the high pressure pump comprising a piston on the tube of larger diameter than the first named piston, and a cylinder receiving the second named piston having a first portion and a second portion, there being at least one port of large capacity in the cylinder communicating with the supply and with said first cylinder portion `Where it joins the second cylinder portion to permit the free passage of lubri-cant into the cylinder during the suction stroke of said second named piston, and to permit the return to the supply of excess lubricant during the pressure developing stroke of the piston.

NEIL V. SMITH. 

